Tom McMahon is on his best behaviour today endeavouring to write a fair and balanced overview on the Republican Convention. His own sympathies are with the Democrats, and he's upfront in admitting that but he also discloses a latent admiration for John McCain. At the end of the commentary we also provide links to a couple of other "political" stories worth reading today.

Their theme is service and they were in action…

Tuning in late for the opening session of the Republican Convention I discovered they had all gone money raising for victims of the recent hurricanes that are hitting the Gulf States shores; their theme is SERVICE and they were in action, showing the American public they meant business.

Republicaion Presidential nominee, John McCain

The second night was dull, with the usual attacks on corruption in Washington government, a vagueness that surprised me as it was only two years ago that the Democrats took over the House of Representatives from the Republican controlled Congress. Often it sounded like the Republicans were condemning Republicans without mentioning the past and trying to separate themselves from the Bush administration; wild generalizations marked the night, more cheers for rejecting Obama than supporting John McCain and his controversial pick for Vice President. America is abuzz with this woman from Alaska.

George W. Bush spoke from the White House via satellite; they cheered him for his service in Vietnam. Laura Bush was dull appealing to bits and pieces of involvement with human beings. TV was glutted with militarism and heroes of American wars. "COUNTRY FIRST" was a dominant factor; while there were no substantial issues spoken to. I wondered if one had to be in a Vietnamese prison camp or serve today in Iraq to qualify for America's top position? How was the American public taking this?

Rudy Giuliani

Wednesday night was an harangue, male politicians screaming with borderline insanity, setting up straw men issues to immediately knock them down.The crowd reminded me of a KKK lynch meeting, ready to rise to their feet at the mention of "that other candidate" and responding blindly to the pandering of former mayor Rudy Giuliani who fed their hatred.. I honestly attempted to listen impartially; I pride myself on being a listener, yet found far too much negativity and slippery slope slurs … America's mean spirit was evident. Cindy McCain was intelligent, ladylike, and genuinely spiritual. I found myself fearful that the Republicans might win in November and restore the Cuckoo's Nest.

God got honorable mention many times and this blessing is poured unctionally over listeners and country. I am reminded of the famous portrait of the Catholic Priest-chaplain (Fr. William Corby, post-war president of Notre Dame University) at the Civil War Battle of Fredricksburg holding his hand high in general absolution of sin over the Irish Brigade; the painting doesn't tell of the caveat offered by the cleric that the absolution did not work if a soldier deserted. The 17 year old "greenhorns", unable to read or write, had no idea of the army papers they signed as they stepped off the "coffin ships" from a devastated Ireland. I was reminded of them as the TV camera panned the audience and Rudy Giuliani raved on. Personally I have serious doubts about this "god" of the politicians.

Republican Party Vice-Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin Catholica readers might also be interest in an article by Tom Roberts in National Catholic Reporter: "What's behind candidate Palin's 'God talk'?"

I was reminded of Harry Truman's visit to an American Indian reservation; every time candidate Truman offered political promises the tribal members shouted "WAHOOO"; on the way out the Chief took the President's arm and said "be careful not to step in that WAHOOO over there".

Soon after Sarah Palin was introduced my computer filled with data about the real woman known from high school days as Sarah Barracuda. When they said "look whom God has sent us" I heard the right wing cleverly charging in. I was reminded of the old TV show "will the real person stand up?" Heaven help America if she is elected and McCain were to die in office.

Years ago I was prone to vote for John McCain and would have if he had not lost to George W. I like the man; I like the maverick. I fear his Iraq war status and Patriot Act patriotism while I see him as genuine and possibly able to break the Republican logjam in Washington. The American people may elect him, possibly electing the maverick to offset what seems to be a landslide victory for Democrats in Congress; American voters rarely give a dominant congress a free hand with a president of their own party. Surely we are in for an interesting 60 days before the November elections.

Tom, the Democrat, who watched the two conventions… 05/09/2008

A nonsense Post Script: In 1962 I marshaled a youth trip to Europe; I invited my mother to accompany us but Mom was reluctant wanting to save her money to give to her kids when she died. My humorous brother, who was so like my father, told my Mom he was delighted that she was not going as he wanted to have her money to give to the Republican Party and the Jehovah Witness organization. Mom came with us!

Also of interest: Catholica readers might also be interest in an article by Tom Roberts in National Catholic Reporter: "What's behind candidate Palin's 'God talk'?" And on the Australian scene we might point out the exclusive story in today's Sun-Herald (Sunday version of the SMH) of the very public spat between the two high profile Christian politicians in the NSW Parliament, the Rev Gordon Moyles and Rev Fred Nile: "Christian soldiers at war".

Image Credits: Clicking on the images in the body of the article will take you to the original source.

Tom McMahon, a former priest now married, lives a very fulfilled life in San Jose and continues to contribute voraciously to several Catholic discussion lists in the States. He has been an enthusiastic supporter and encourager of the Catholica Australia initiative from the very beginning.

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©2008 Tom McMahon

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